Every now and then I devote a post to a particular theme. Considering the popularity of animals among majolica buyers and potters, I thought we’d take a look at one particular animal—the fox!
The fox hunt is a theme that appears regularly among English majolica makers. Usually a component of a larger hunting theme, foxes are a favorite addition to these designs. The fable of the fox and sour grapes is also a favorite motif.
Minton in particular loved incorporating foxes in their majolica ware iconography.
Combining both the hunt and sour grapes motif is shown to advantage in the Minton wine cooler shown above. Another more elaborate Minton wine cooler shown below also incorporates foxes and grapes among its motifs.
The Minton piece below incorporates both stags and foxes in this hunt themed ice stand centerpiece.
Foxes appear in smaller Minton pieces as well as in this fox and sour grapes vase and this crane and fox vase, both based on Aesop’s fables.
The Minton fox and ducks terrine, also based on an Aesop’s fable, was faithfully copied by Lonitz in two different variations.
Minton incorporated the fox in this hunting faun wall bracket which was one of a pair, the other showing a merman fishing.
Christopher Dresser used a peeking fox in this flat iron shaped creamer, in another reference to a fable.
This rare Minton figure of a fox with a girl is an unusual figural for the company. It’s also a component of the elaborate Minton wine cooler shown above.
Minton also made both majolica and non-majolica tiles showing foxes, usually with hunt or fable themes.
George Jones did several fox themed pieces as well. One of the best known is their fox and goose terrine with hunt iconography all around the base.
They also made a small utility tray, which was made in two other iterations: one with a dog and one with a bear. This was incorporated into a smoking set, shown further down. A similar, but much larger design, was made as a grape tray.
The Jones covered jug or stein with a hound on one side and a fox on the other, is one of their most iconic fox designs. It was made both with and without the ceramic fox lid. They also made a matching loving cup and a mug in the same design.
This marvelous compote showing a fox is another use of the fox and hare theme.
George Jones made this unusual wall pocket with cornucopia and fox iconography.
Another well known fox design comes from Brown-Westhead Moore with their "sour grapes" jug.
So successful was this pitcher that it was copied by several smaller potteries including some in France.
This variation attributed to Holdcroft, is based on another Aesop’s fable–this one of the fox and a crow. A French potter made a copy of this as well.
Wedgwood didn't do much with the fox theme though they did add a fox image to their majolica glazed transfer series of plates and tiles.
Holdcroft made a terrine with the fox and goose theme.
An unattributed potter, possibly Forester or Adams & Bromley, created this lovely fox and grapes fruit server.
Wittman and Roth sold this imposing erudite fellow, possibly of German origin.
Hackney & Co, and later its successor Fielding, made this fox tray.
The Swedish company of Rörstrand made a tri-lobed serving dish or card tray with a fox and goose theme.
Lonitz made this candelabra in the fox and duck theme.
Sarrguemines made this fox "Fables de La Fontaine" cigar and match holder
Another smoke stand with the fox and hare theme came out of Europe.
The company of Gesetzl Gesch included this dapper fox bottle among their series of animal bottles.
This amusing fox and hare majolica humidor comes out of Austria.
This Austrian fox dressed as a clown can be found in two similar versions by different potters.
The fox stirrup cup below surrounded with morning glories hangs as a wall pocket.
An unattributed potter made this clever traditional fox and boar hunt jug.
A rustic example of a fox and goose pitcher comes from a smaller unattributed potter.
After all these foxes one is bound to be a bit overwhelmed with wily thoughts but let me leave you today with this sweet quote from Walt Disney’s Fox and the Hound.:
“Goodbye may seem forever. Farewell is like the end, but in my heart is the memory and you will always be there.”
